But the former Helix High stars' weekend was just about all they hoped it would be. It included limo rides, conversations with former Heisman winners and a chance to share their accomplishments with family.

"This was great," Bush said. "I'm having the time of my life. It's my first time in New York, getting to see the big city. I'm enjoying every minute of it."

Said Smith: "I was like a little kid up there. It was so much fun."

It was quite a night, too, for the Helix Highlanders, whom Bush and Smith led to section championships in 2000 and 2001.

Earlier in the day, Helix coach Donnie Van Hook ran into Fowler in a hotel hallway and Fowler told him, "Go get Oceanside."

During the ceremony, Smith sat to the far left among the finalists. Bush was immediately to his left. The pair, sitting together on the side of the stage, were interviewed by ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit during the show.

Afterward, Bush said: "I enjoyed this whole experience – with current and former teammates."

Bush sat forward, watching closely as Leinart reacted to his victory. Even before last night, Bush was considered a favorite for the 2005 Heisman.

"It doesn't make me mad or have any hard feelings," Bush said of his distant finish. "It makes me more hungry to get back here next year."

Leinart said he was surprised that Bush finished last among the five finalists. But he knew why. Bush was hindered in the voting by the fact he does not get the ball as much as the other finalists, due to the deep talent on the top-ranked Trojans' offense.

"I've been saying all year he's the best player in college football," Leinart said. "He does the most on the No. 1 team. It's tough with all the players we have. I am guaranteeing he will be back here next year and the year after that and probably come away with a trophy like this."

Bush made a similar pledge.

"I'll definitely be back next year," he said.

In the back of the room, LaMar Griffin nodded and affirmed his stepson's statement with a quiet, "That's the man."

It was a few minutes earlier that Griffin embraced Bush following the ceremony and told him, "You're still a winner."

Griffin said later: "He's me and his mom's Heisman Trophy winner."

Smith, who quarterbacked Utah to an 11-0 season and a berth in the Jan. 1 Fiesta Bowl, raised his eyebrows on stage when he and the other finalists looked on a nearby television monitor and saw the placing. He said he was "a little" surprised he finished ahead of his friend.

"In my opinion," Smith said, "he's the best player I've ever seen."

Both San Diegans came in knowing they were not likely to win. Bush is just a sophomore; Smith is from a Mountain West Conference school, not among the Bowl Championship Series conferences.

Smith had been especially modest about his chances, in that the four other finalists play in big-time programs. Just two players from outside the major conferences won the Heisman in the past 40 years.

Smith was clearly the most relaxed of the finalists on the dais. He smiled throughout.

"I had no expectations," he said. "I was just enjoying it."

Smith did say he got nervous just before the announcement, worrying for just a moment he would have to make an acceptance speech.

"It was a trip for me," he said. "I was smiling the whole time. I can't stop smiling. You're up there with quite the names, especially when (the former winners) are up there standing behind you."

Smith considers NFL

Smith said after the presentation last night that he is strongly considering leaving Utah for the NFL following this season.

"If I'm going to be projected to go pretty early (in the draft), it's going to be pretty tempting to go out," he said. "If I get projected in the middle, it might not be so easy."

Smith, a junior who is already working on his master's degree, has petitioned the NFL to receive an evaluation of where he might be selected in April's draft. He has until the second week of January to announce his intentions.

Smith passed for 2,624 yards and 28 touchdowns and was intercepted just four times. He also ran for 563 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Smith's NFL stock is unknown because he largely came out of nowhere this season to become an All-American. He has established himself as a heady competitor, however. His position in the draft would be affected somewhat by whether Leinart, who won the Heisman, decides to return for his senior season.